Method of and apparatus for silvering glass knobs



Feb. 18, 1930.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SILVERING GLASS KNOBS G. GLAUDEL Filed Jan. 23, 1928 Patented Feb. A18, 1930 UNITED s-TafrEsl GEORGE GLAUDEL, OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF TWENTY PER CENT y PATENT oFFlcE TO HERMAN MILLER, OF SOUTH PASADENA, CALIFORNIA METHOD OF AND AFPARATU-S FOR SILVERING- GLASS KNOIBS Application led January 23, 1928. Serial No. 248,733.

My invention contemplatesmeans for and method of silvering Vglass knobs.

In the manufacture of glass door knobs it is customary to silver theinner end ofthe knobs, which is generally concave and sometimes provided with radiating convolutions or other decorative markings to add to the attractiveness of the knob when viewed from the outside. A brass cap is then secured to the knob by being crim ed about a shoulder in its inner end to enab e securing the knob to a latch shank.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide a method of applying the silvering to the inner end of such glass door A.

1 the said drawings and description as I may adopt variations of the preferred form within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims. In fact, the method and apparatus of my invention, with minor. alterations, might be utilized to apply coatlngs of various natures to many different articles. For

example, my invention would materially expedite the manufacture of small mirrors, such as those used in vanity cases, and various types of scientific instruments; or it would assist in the operation of applying enamel or similar coatings to many kinds of small objects. For the present purpose, however,

it will suilice to describe my improved method and apparatus as it isv employed in the silvering of glass door knobs.

Referring to the drawings wherein similar parts are indicated by similar reference numerals throughout: y

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the knob holding tray of my invention in position to have the silvering solution applied to the knobs. y

Figure 2 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of the tray showing knobs secured there'- in and in position upon the guide whichl forms a art of my invention. t

igure 3 1s a transverse, vertical, sectional view of the tray and knobs inverted in'posi'-` tion to have the silvering solution appliedto the knobs. v

Figure 4 is a transverse,A vertical, sectional view similar to Figure 3, after the silvering solution has been applied.`

The present modification of the apparatus for carrying out the vprocess of my invention comprises a tray 1 having sides '2 and ends 3 extending upwards from a bottom 4 which preferably extends beyond the sides 2 to provide supporting anges 6 and which is recessed as at 7 for the reception of the guide 8. This guide is composed of any suitablel material adapted to vprovide a relatively smooth surface, such as metal or glass, and is preferably provided upon its upper surface with a layer of absorbent cushioning material 9 such as felt.` A pluralityof apertures 11 are provided in s aced relationship in the bottom 4, each of whlch is shaped to fit closely about the vinner end 12 fof'one of the glass door knobs 13.

y The process of silvering knobs, which employs the above described apparatus, com- -prises placing the tray 1 inposition upon the guide 8 so'that the cushioned surface 9 of the guide is vparallel tov and closely adjacent the bottom4 of the tray 1. Then a knob 13 is placed with its inner end 12in each of l the apertures 11 and pressed'therethrough until contact is established with the cushioned surface l9 ofthe guide f8 which is thus adapted to accuratelyposition the knobs in their vrespective apertures by limiting the distance the knobs extend through the'b'ottom of the tray. Then a quantity of molten vparaffin-16,

y or other suitable material adapted to solidify after pouring, is poured into the tray about the knobs, it being understood that the apertures 11 are so sized that leakage of the molten paraiiinbetween the knobs and the bottom 4 of the tray is practically prevented. However, if it be so desired, the felt 9 on the guide 8 may be lnoistened so that any paraflin that does leak through the apertures will be quickly solidified, preventing further leakage.

After the parafiin has solidified it will be found that a strong bond Will be set up between the knobs and the tray, preventing their displacement therefrom. rl`he tray is then inverted, as shown in Figure 3, and the thus exposed inner surfaces 17 of the knobs subjected to a cleaning operation.

One manner of doing this is by pouring into the recess 7 recently vacated by the guide 8 a cleansing solution of stannous chloride. After the cleansing solution has been poured of'f the knobs are then in condition to have the silvering solution 21 applied. The silvering solution commonly employed comprises a solution of silver nitrate, ammonium hydroxide, and Rochelle salts. The knobs are permitted to stand With the silvering solution upon them for approximately an hour, after Which the excess solution is poured off and the knobs thoroughly dried, either by chamois or an air brush7 then a protective coating such as shellac or lacquer is applied to the silvered surface in any convenient manner such as by air brush or pouring a quantity of the protective coating onto the inner ends 12 of the knobs and then pouring off the excess. After the protection coating has hardened, the knobs are removed from the tray by lifting off the paraffin, at which time they are ready to have the brass retaining caps crimped thereupon.

The advantages gained by employing this process of silvering knobs are manifold, and among them might be mentioned the relatively high number of knobs which may be silvered by a single operator Within a unit of time. Vith my improved rocess one man can silver between 1500 ancl)2000 knobs per day, Whereas heretofore it has not been possible for a man to silver more than 500 knobs vwithin the same length of time. Not only is the process far more expeditious, but it is more eflicient in that the silver coating and the protective coating are both applied more evenly than by any previous process. Another feature is the fact that the close fit between the inner ends 12 of the knobs prevents the deposit of silver upon any portion of the surface of the knob except the inner end, thus obviating the necessity of cleaning off any silvering after the above described process has been completed.

I claim:

1. The method of silvering knobsywhich comprises placing a plurality of knobs in a tray Wit-h the ends requiring silvering extending through closely fitting apertures in the bottom of the tray and against a moistened felt guide.l pouring a molten material into said tray about said knobs to retain said knobs in position and to-seal the apertures, inverting the tray and contained knobs afterthe molten material has solidified, cleaning the thus exposed surface of the knobs With a cleaning solution, then applying a silvering solution7 permitting the silvering solution to stand upon the knobs for approximately one hour, drying the knobs, coating the silvered surfaces of the knobs with shellac While still retained Within the tray, and then melting off the said solidified material.

2. The method of silvering knobs, which comprises placing a plurality of knobs in a tray With the ends requiring silvering extending through closely fitting apertures in the bottom of the tray and against a moistened felt guide, pouring a molten material into said tray about said knobs to retain said knobs in position and to seal the apertures, inverting the tray and contained knobs after the molten material has solidified, cleaning the thus exposed surface ofthe knobs with a cleaning solution, then applying a silvering solution, permitting the silvering solution to stand upon the knobs for approximately one hour, drying the knobs, applying a protective coating to the silvered surfaces of said knobs While still retained Within the tray, and then melting off the said solidified material.

3. The method of silvering knobs, Which comprises placing a plurality of knobs in a tray With the ends requiring silvering extending through closely fitting apertures in the bottom of thevtray and against a moistened felt guide, pouring a molten material into said tray about said knobs to retain said knobs in position and to seal the apertures, inverting the tray and contained knobs after the molten material has solidified, cleaning the thus exposed surface of the knobs with a cleaning solution, then applying a silvering solution, permitting the silvering solution to stand upon the knobs for approximately one hour, drying the knobs, and applying a protective coating to the silvered surfaces of said knobs.

4. The method of silvering knobs, Which comprises placing a plurality` of knobs in a tray With the ends requiring silverin g extending through closely fitting apertures in the bottom of the tray and against a felt guide, pouring a molten material into said tray about said knobs to retain said knobs in position and to seal the apertures, inverting the tray and contained knobs after the molten material has solidified,4 cleaning the thus exposed surface of the knobs with a cleaning solution, then applying a silvering solution. permitting ,the silvering solution to stand upon the knobs for approximately one hour, drying the knobs, and applying a protective coating to the silvered surfaces of said knobs.

5. The method of silvering knobs, which comprises placing a plurality of knobs in a tray -with the ends requiring silvering extending through Vclosely fitting apertures in the bottom of the tray, pouring a molten material into said tray aboutsaid knobs to retain said knobs in position and to seal the apertures, inverting the tray and contained knobs after the molten material has solidified, cleaning the thus exposed surface of the knobs with a l cleaning solution, then applying a silvering solution, permitting the silvering solution to stand upon the knobs for approximately one hour, drying the knobs, andapplying aprotective coating to the silvered` surfaces of said knobs.

6. The method of silvering knobs, which comprises placing a plurality of knobs in a tray with the ends extending through apertures in the bottom ofthe-tray and against a moistened felt guide, pouring a molten material into said tray about said knobs to retain the knobs in position, inverting the tray and contained knobs after the molten material has solidified, cleaning the thus exposed surfaces of the knobs with a cleaning solution, then applying a silvering solution, permitting the silvering solution to stand upon the knobs for approximately one hour, drying the knobs, and applying a protective coating to the silvered surfaces of the knobs.

7. The method of silvering knobs, which comprises placing a plurality of knobs in a tray with the ends extending through apertures in the bottom of the tray and against a moistened felt guide, pouringV a molten -material into. said tray about said knobs to retain the knobs in position, inverting the tray and contained knobs after the molten material has solidified, cleaning the thus exposed surfaces of the knobs with a cleaning solution, then applying a silvering solution, drying the knobs, and applylng a protective coating to the silvered surfaces of the knobs.

8. The method of silvering knobs, which comprises placing a plurality of knobs in a tray with the ends extending through apertures in the bottom 'of the tray and against a moistened felt guide, pouring a molten material into said tray about said knobs to retain the knobs in position, inverting the tray a moistened felt guide, pouring a molten material into said tray about said knobs to retainthe knobs in position, inverting the tray and contained knobs after the molten material has solidified, then applying a silvering solution, drying the knobs, and applying a molten material into said tray about saidarticles to retain them in position, inverting the tray and contained articles after the molten material has solidified, then applying a silvering solution, drying the articles, and applying a protective coating to the silvered surfaces of the articles.

l1. The method of silvering articles, which comprises placing a plurality of articles in a tray with the portions requiringl silveringV extending through closely fitting-apertures in the bottom ofthe tray and againsta-'mois-- tened felt guide, pouring a moltenmaterial into said tray about said articles to retain them in position and to seal the'apertures,

inverting the tray and contained articles after the molten material has solidilied, cleaning the thus exposed surface of the articles with a cleaning solution, then applying a silvering solution, drying thearticles, and applying a protective coating to the silvered surfaces of said articles.

l2. The method of silvering articles, which comprises placing a plurality of said articles in a tray with the portions requiring silvering extending through closely fitting apertures in the bottom of the tray, pouring a molten material into said tray about said articles to retain them in position and to seal thev apertures, inverting the tray and contained articles after'the molten material has solidified, cleanin the thus exposed 4surface of the articles wit a cleaning solution, then applying a silvering solution, drying the articles, and appl ing va protective coating to the silvered sur aces of said articles.

13. An apparatus for silvering articles, which comprises a tray having an aperture in the bottom thereof adapted to receive and closely fit one of said articles, a guide adjacent to said tray adapted tolimit the distance said article extends through said aperture, and a lining of absorbent material on said guide adapted to be moistened.

14. An apparatus fo'r silvering knobs which comprises a tray having a plurality of apertures in the bottom thereof adapted to receive and closely fitsaid knobs, a guide adjacent to said tray adapted to limit the distance said knobs extend through said apertures, and a lining of absorbent material on said guide.

l5. An apparatus for silvering knobs, which comprises a tray having a plurality of apertures in the bottom thereof adapted to receiveand closelyl fit said knobs, and a guide adjacent tosaid tray adapted to limit the distance said knobs extend through said apertures. f

16. The method'of applying a coating to an article, which comprises placing a plurality of said articles in a tray with a portion of the article extending through the bottom of the tray, pouring a molten material into said tray about the articles to retain them in position, inverting the tray and contained articles after said material has solidified7 and then applying a coating to the surface of the a1- ticles thus disposed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

GEO. GLAUDEL. 

